Automatic pipe-cleaning apparatus.



e. SETZER. AUTOMATIC PIPE CLEANING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED AUG; 30,1908.

900,599, Patented Oct.6, 1908'.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W/TNESSES:

G. A. SETZER.

AUTOMATIC PIPE CLEANING APPARATUS.

' APPLICATION FILED AUG. a0. 1906.

900,599, Patented Oct. 6, 1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

m U- uni! k v I GUSTAV A. SETZER, OF NEW YORK,

Specification (if-Letters Patent.

N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO. CHARLES S. AVERILL, OF S YRA- CUSE, NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIG PIPE-CLEANING APPARATUS.

Patented Oct. 6, 1908.

Application filed August 80, 1906. Serial No. 332,722.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUsTAv' A. SETZER, a citizen of the United States,and resident of New York city, in the county of New York and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in AutomaticPi pe-Cleanin Apparatus, of which the following is a spec' cation.

My invention relates to. apparatus for dispensing liquids such as beer,and the object ofthe invention is to provide an apparatus whereby thebeer in the beer pipes may be returned to. the kegs located at acomparatively remote point from the dispensing faucets, the beer pipescleaned, and the supply of beer to the beer pipes, reestablished, all ofwhich operations being effected from a point behind the bar, thusobviating the necessity ofthe attendant-leaving his position behind saidbar.

A further object is to attain the results above referred to, withoutwasting any beer or allowing the beer to become mixed with water duringthe pipe-flushing operation except in a fractional degree. The severalresu ts are efl ected by simple and cheap means.

In the accompanying drawings forming 'part of thisspecificatioI1,-Figure 1, is an elevational view of partly sectionalcharacter and illustrating an apparatus embodying my-invention, the viewrepresenting the rear. of a bar and 9. art of a cellar beneath the flooron which t e bar is located. Fig. 2, is another elevational view,partlyin section, disclosing an unconventional form of the apparatus,the water valve, vent faucet, upper art of the bar and features inimmediate reation to said bar, for the purposes of illustration purely,being shown in unwarranted proximity to the novel valve device and thereceptacle on which. it is mounted. I Fig. 3, 1s a plan view of theautomatic valve casing.

Fig. 4, is a side view of the valve casing and the tap on which it ismounted. Fi 5, is a vertical sectional view of the parts disclosed inFig. 4, the valv ebody occupying a osition cuttin ofl? thesupply of beerto the eer ipe, and t e latter being open to the waterushing supply.Fig. 6, is a sectional view of a three-way cock designed foralternatelyestablishing communication between the beer pipe and a dispensingfaucet, or between said pipe and a compressed air, supply, the

air into t e beer-pipe to force the beer back pipe-P, casing chamberC,-the outlet N, and 110 latter ad'ustment directing the compressed tothe keg by equalizing the pressure. Fig. 7, is a vertical sectional viewdisclosin an automatic valve device adapted to e used where the waterpressure is lower than the air pressure.

A indicates a water pipe connected with the water. main of a city orother source of water under equal pressure, and a, a, are valves whichgovern the flow of water from the pipe A, by means of branch pipes A, to

the top connections of the several valve casings O, and A is the inletipe to the pipe A and a pipe D, which latter eads the water to anair-compressor E, by means of which a tank F, is supplied withcompressed air.

B indicates the air-pressure piping and b, b, are valves by means ofwhich the air is suppliedto or out off from the branch pipes B,respectively.

Valves 1), b, which are interposed in the branch ipes B, are normallyleft open, and. the air is controlled by the air valves b, I), locatedon the u per floor, usually under the bar, as are also t 1e three-waycocks H and a part of the beer-pipes G, one of said cooks eing shown insection in Fig. 6, and their positions with respect to the cated in Fig.2.

I, I, I, etc., designate the beer faucets at the bar. 7

J, J, etc., refer to the beer-taps and K, the kegs.

, Each of the valve-casings C is provided with a cylindrical boreforming a chamber C, Fig. 5, within which is a reciprocative trunkpiston 0, having a valve at each and adapted to intimately conform withone of the valve-seats L, or L', l0cated at each end of the chamber.These seats are preferably presented by disks of good soft rubber whichar being indiada ts said disks to serve as washers or gas ets for thehose connection M, at one end being of such length as to pass t e outletopening, in its movements from one valveseat to another. When the pistonmoves so that its upper valve closes the opening 1n the seat L, theopening in the lower seat L, will he open and communication establishedbetween the keg interior, duct P, in the tap which woul mannerdisclosed, to the end that the functional interrelation of said partsmay be the more easily grasped. Thus a portion of the bar with certainimmediately situated parts i of the apparatus, are shown as unduly nearthe air reservoir, and one of the kegs and its valve device, theflooring being eliminated, and the water controlling valve (1, and ventpipe Q being directly on the valve device, an

arra ement which as before intimated, woul ifnot be followed inpractice, and further, would not be in accordance with the in vention. 7

Each three-way valve H, is controlled by a stem and handle '0, saidvalve being connected to its articular beer-pipe G, and the airipeB. ig.6, represents the valve as estab 'shing communication with the faucetpipe so that the flow of beer will be straight through said valve tosaid faucet. The airway is shownin the cut-off position.

Assuming the pressure of the water in th main to be reater than theair-pressure on the beer, and the valve H, to be in a position to permitthe flow of beer to the faucet, and it is desired to clean the beer pipewith water, the following o eration is pursued. The valve H is turne tocut off the flow of beer to the faucet I, and at the same time, theairway in the valve H, is brought into communication with the air-pipeB, thus equaliz ing the pressure in the keg K, and on top of the columnof beer in the pi e G, under which conditions, the beer wi back into thehe by way of pipe G, chamber C, and conduit After briefly waiting topermit all the beer to flow back into the keg,

the water-valve is opened-and the piston 0 now being subject to agreater pressure than that exerted by the air, will be forced down tocut off communication between the chamber C and the keg, and permittingthe water to flowto the outlet N. The valve H, is now mani ulatedtoconnect the beer-pipe with the aucet, thus closing the air passa e.The faucet I, is opened, which first permits the confined air in the pie G, to escape, and thereafter the water to ow to and throu h saidfaucet to the drain, thus efiecting t e cleansing of the beer-pipe.

When it is desired to turn on the beer again, the water-valve a isclosed, and the flow slowly.

vent valve Q, is opened to release the pressure in the pipe A whereuponthe air pressure in the keg will force the beer upward,

raise the piston to and maintain it in its highest position, and thusopen the passage to the pipe G, throu h which the beer will flow andforce the co umn of water therein out through the faucet I. As soon asthe beer appears at the faucet, the latter is closed and the beer isready to be drawn for use.

It will be understood that the pipes may be cleansed without using theair, such result being attained by simply allowing the water to forceout through the faucet, the beer in the pipe G after the valve 0 closesoff the beer at the keg, the beer forced out being kept in a separatereceptacle, and after the pipe is cleaned, to shut off the water asbefore described, vent the water pipe, and subsequently allow the waterto be forced out by the beer, after the seat L is closed.

In Fig. 7, is shown an automatic valve device which may be used inplaces where the water pressure is'lower than the air pressure,

the differences between this construction and the valve deviceheretofore disclosed, being that the upper valve O of the piston 0 is oflarger diameter than the lower valve, and the casing contains a smallgroove X, which permits the fluid which would 0therwise be trapped belowthe lar er valve and the casing, to escape. This va ve allows the piston0 to be operated by a low water pressure and a high air pressure, therelative areas of the valve ends being determined by the degree ofdifference in the water and air pressures.

The arrangement illustrated in Fig. 1, is such, that when the pi es onone line of kegs are being cleaned, the lieer for service will be drawnfrom another line of kegs. l f no beer is to be drawn while the pipesare cleaned, one set of kegs and piping will be suiiicient.

Importance is attached to the fact that the cleansing operation takesplace at a point in immediate contiguity to each keg, and iscontinuously and thoroughly conducted from thence on to and through thedispensing faucet pertaining to each keg. A conspicuous feature ofnovelty connected with the invention, involves the arrangement wherebythe alternate movements of the valve-piston are effected by the fluidsacting directly on said valve and controlled from a comparatively remotepoint and at the rear of the bar. At night, upon closing theestablishment wherein the apparatus is installed, (or at dull periodsduring the day,) the beer or ale in the coils of pipe and said outletpipe, can be returned to the keg or barrel, while it is still fresh,without releasing the air, and thereby avoiding the serving of stale orcontaminated beer or ale to the customers, when business is resumed.This practice, obviously, eliminates the waste of beer or ale, whichwould otherwise stand in the pipes all night and have to be run off inthe morning.

The pi esand coils can be flushed each 5 night wit water until thelatter runs clear, after which the water can be permitted to remain inthe pipes overnight, thereby dispensing with the'use of chemicals,escape the necessity of disconnecting the pipes to clean them, and thusinsuring at all times, a clean and sanitary service. As each outlet pipeis independent, when a keg or barrel is empty, the dregs may be washedout from the faucet to the barrel "by admitting the water, after turningoff the air and releasing the bung at the package. Manifestly, thisprocedure saves any waste from thenew package.

' Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In apparatus for dispensing liquids under pressure such as beer, thecombination of a device having an outlet and inlets, the latter for theadmission of the liquid under pressure and a second liquid,respectively, said device including valve-means adapted to alternatelycut off each inlet from the outlet before opening communication betweensaid outlet and the other inlet, and a pipe together with manuallyoperable means at a comparatively remote point for admitting the secondliquid tothe device, the alternate movements of the valve-means beingeffect- 7 ed by the liquids acting directly thereon.

2. In apparatus for dispensing liquids under pressure such as beer, thecombination of a device having an outlet and inlets, the latter for theadmission of the liquid under pressure and a second liquid,respectively, said device including valve-means adapted to alternatelycut off each inlet fromthe outlet before opening communication betweensaid outlet and the other inlet, a pipe together with manually operablemeans at a comparatively remote point, for admitting the second liquidto the device, the alternate movements of the valve-means being eiiectedby the liquids acting directly'thereon, .and

a vent for said pipe contiguously located with respect to said manuallyoperable means.

3. In apparatus for dispensing liquids under pressure such as beer, thecombination'of a device adapted for connection with a receptacle forcontaining such liquid, and having an outlet and inlets, one of thelatter for communication with the receptacle and the other for theadmission ,of the second liquid, said device including valve-meansadapted to alternate'ly cut oif each inlet from the outlet 60 beforeopening communication between said outlet and the other inlet,.aremotely located dis ensing faucet communicating with said outllet byway of a pipe, means for equalizing the pressure within the outlet pipeand the receptacle, a second pipe and manually operable means foradmitting the second liquid to the device, said manually'operable meansbeing conveniently located with respect to said faucet,-and thealternate'movements of the valve-means being effected by the liquidsactin directly thereon. v

4. n apparatus for dispensing liquids underpressure such as beer, thecombination of a device adapted for connection with a receptacle forcontaining such liquid, and having an outlet and inlets, one of thelatter for communication with the receptacle and the other for theadmission of a second liquid, said device including valve-means adaptedto alternately cut off each inlet from the outlet before openingcommunication between said outlet and the other inlet, a remotelylocated dispensing faucet communicatin with I said outlet by Way of apipe, a source 0 compressed air, a pipe supplied from said source andcommunicating with the receptacle independent of the said outlet, avalve in proximlty to the dispensing faucet for establishingcommunication between the air-pipe and the outlet-pipe for equalizingthe pressure Within the. said latter pipe and the receptacle, anadditional pipe and manually operable means for admittlng the secondliquid to the device, said manually operable means be-' ing convenientlylocated with respect to the faucet, the alternate movements of thevalvemeans being effected .by the liquids acting directly thereon.

5. In apparatus for dispensing li uids under pressure such as beer, thecom ination Witha tap, of'a device mounted thereon and having an outletand inlets, the latter for the admission of the liquid under pressurevia the tap and a second liquid, respectively, said device includingvalve-means adapted to alter-' nately cut off each inlet from the outletbefore opening communication between said outlet and the other inlet,and a pipe together with manually operable means at a comparativelyremote point for admitting the second liquid to the device, thealternate movements of the valve-means being effected by the liquidsacting directly thereon.

6. In apparatus for dispensing li uids under pressure such as beer, thecom ination with a tap adapted to, be inserted in a receptacleforcontaining such liquid, of a device mounted on said tap and having anoutlet andinlets, the latter for the admission of the liquid underpressure and a second liquid, respectively, said device includingvalve-means adapted to alternately cut off each inlet from the outletbefore opening communication between said outlet and the other inlet, aremotely located dispensing faucet communi eating by way of a pipe withthe outlet, a

compressed air pipe communicating with the tap, means in proximity tothe faucet for esta lishing communication between said, air pipe and theoutlet pipe to equalize the pressure within the latter and thereceptacle, and a pipe and manually operable means for admitting thesecond fluid to thedevice, said manually operable means beingconveniently located with res ect to the faucet, the movementsof the vave-means being effected by the liquids acting directly thereon.

7. 1n apparatus for dispensing liquids under pressure such as beer, thecombination with a piston having valves of varying diamthe combinationof a casing in immediate proximity to and in direct communication with asource of su ply ofa li uid to be dispensed, a device a apted to c fosesaid communication, means for conveying said liquid by way of saidcasing to a dispensing faucet, means for causing the liquid to return tothe source of supply, means for subjecting the device to a cleaningfluid to cut off the source of supply and admit the cleaning fluid tosaid casing and permit said fluid to flow by way of said conveying meansto and through the faucet.

9. In apparatus of the character described, the combination ofa tap forcommunication with a source of supply of a liquid to be dis-'- pensed,means for conveying said liquid rom said ta to a dispensing faucet, adevice for closing t e communication between the conveying means and thesource of supply, means for causing the liquid to return to said sourceof supply, and hand operable means at a point immediately adjacent tothe faucet for subjecting the device to a cleaning fluid .to cut ofl thesource of supply and admit thecleaning fluid and permit said fluid toflow by way of said conveying means to and through the dispensingfaucet.

10. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a tapfor communication with a source of sup ly of a liquid to be dispensed, acasing direct y connected to said tap, a device for closingcommunication between the tap and casing, means for conveying saidliquid by way of said casing to a dispensing faucet, means for causingsaid liquid to return to the source of supply, means for sub'ecting thedevice to a cleaning fluid to cut 0 the source of supply and ad mit thecleaning fluid to said caslng and per mit said fluid to flow by way ofsaid conveying means to and through the faucet.

11. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a casinghaving valve seats containing openings at each end thereof and aninterinediately located outlet,

together with means for establishing communication with a receptaclecontaining li uid under pressure, a piston having end viilves eachadapted to cut off its opening from the outlet before the other valvelaces its 0 ening in communication with sair outlet, t e liquid underpressure normally holding the piston to maintain communication betweensaid first named means and the casing outlet, and a valve for actuatingsaid piston by fluid pressure.

12. In an apparatus for dispensing liquids, the combination of a casinghaving an outlet port between its ends and an inlet ort on each side ofsaid outlet port, a pipe eading from said outlet port to a dispensingfaucet,

a valve normally acting under the pressure of the liquid to be dispensedto afford communication between one inlet port and said outlet port,means for introducing through the other inlet port a cleansing liquidwhich acts by its superior pressure on said valve to out offcommunication between said first inlet and the outlet and to establishcommunication between the second inlet and the outlet in order to flushout the dispensing pipe.

Signed at New York city in the county of New York and State of New Yorkthis 18th day of July A. D. 1906.

GUSTAV A. SETZER. Witnesses:

FRANK M. AsnLnY, FRANK L. SEAVER.

